Hari Om Parents,
The following is what we did during today's class.
Shlokas:
1. "Om Saha navavatu" (page 8 in My Prayers book)
2. "Vakrathunda Mahakaya" (page 27 in My Prayers book)
3. "Karegre vasate" (page 11 in My prayers book)
4. "Akanda-mandalakaram" (page 61 in My Prayers book)
5. "Ajnana-timirandhasya" (page 61 in My Prayers book)
6. "Gururbrahma" (page 61 in My Prayers book)
7. "Thvameva Maathacha" (page 62 in My Prayers book)
8. "Samudra vasane devi" (page 11 in My Prayers book)
9. "Saraswathi namasthubyam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
10. "Subham karothi kalyanam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
11. "Karacharana krithamva" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
12. "Bhramaarpanam bhrama havih" (page12 in My Prayers book)
13. "Srirama Rama Ramethi" (page 129 in My Prayers book)
14. "Manojavam Maaruta" (page 152 in My Prayers book)
Activities:
- We have introduced most of the Dainikaprarthanah (means Daily Prayers) and 4 slokas from the Gurustoram. Please have the kids make it a habit to chant the above shlokas every morning, (lighting the lamps / evening) after their bath/shower. This will help them learn, memorize as well as develop a lifelong habit of morning prayer and daily prayer.
- We sang our Rama bhajan "Jaya Jaya Tulasi" (page 141 in My Prayers book) together today. Most of the kids have gotten familiar with the bhajan and its sounding great.
- We played the Concentration Game. After the chanting of 3 "Om's kids keep their eyes closed. They count the number of stones being dropped into a box during the quiet time. Later they give the count of the stones dropped. The game quiets the mind and improves concentration. I muted everyone so that the kids wouldn't have any potential distractions from each other. Almost ALL of the students got the count correct! The rest of them were very close. They all were visibly thrilled!
- We did some coloring towards the end of class. If you have some extra time at home, please have the kids complete their coloring pages in their Bala Ramayana coloring books. Please stop on Lesson 35. Please reiterate that the kids are recalling the story as they are coloring.
- Please have the kids continue writing their Likitha Japa. You can send photos of them in to earn house points.
We began today's story with a brief recap. Most of the kids were ready to jump in and answer questions. Our setting started in Ravana's palace, where he was totally dejected. Indrajit approached his father for his blessings to head out to the battlefield. He had his uncle Kumbhakarna and his beloved brothers on his mind as he set out. He took down the vanaras that charged at him with no effort. He then immediately shot poisonous darts at Rama and Lakshmana. They immediately fell into a coma like unconsciousness. That was the unfortunate case of the rest of Sugriva's army as well. Seeing the success of the fallen enemies, Indrajit went to share his news of success with his father. Ravana was thrilled and praised his beloved son and called him the savior of Lanka.
On the battlefield, as everything seemed silent, Jambavan was able to slowly move and with all of his strength he called for Hanuman, asking if he was alive. Hanuman immediately came to his side. Jambavan then whispered specific directions to revive Rama and Lakshmana. He told Maruti to fly to the Himalayas, to locate the Kailasha and Rishaba mounts. He then described four herbs that could be found in between the two mounts. Hanuman departed instantly and located the hill but was unable to distinguish between all the herbs so he decided to take the whole mountain! He swiftly returned to Lanka. Rama, Lakshmana and the vanaras were revived. Rama immediately made a plan to sneak into the city during the night and to set everything on fire. All the rakshasas began to scream and run helter skelter in fear.
Ravana was able to hear the cries of his rakshasas and cheering of the vanaras. The infuriated king called upon Kumbha and Nikumbha, the sons of Kumbhakarna, to head out and take the enemies down. They strutted out and faced Sugriva and Hanuman. Even though they put up a good fight they were no match for the vanara king and Hanuman. As the news of their defeat reached Ravana's ears, he again called upon his beloved son Indrajit. The vanaras tossed trees and boulders at Indrajit, annoying him immensely. He lost his temper and reverted to what he knew best...black magic! He created a Maya Sita, put her in a chariot and killed her for everyone to see. He got an instant reaction. Rama was inconsolable as he dropped his bows and arrows. Lakshamana couldn't speak and the vanara army was speechless. Sorry was everywhere.
Vibhishana went to Rama and tried to console him by saying that there is no way that his nephew could have killed Sita. This is most likely an act of black magic as Indrajit was very well versed in that craft. He also said that Indrajit is probably trying to buy time as he may be performing an asuric sacrifice. His advice was to send Lakshmana to stop Indrajit immediately as if that sacrifice is completed, no one, not even Rama would be able to defeat him. Lakshmana, Hanuman and a group of vanaras set out to fight Indrajit. Lakshmana broke Indrajit's chariot, making him come down to fight on foot. The battle was intense. Lakshmana took out his powerful Indra astra, with that Indrajit's head was chopped off. It fell onto the battlefield with such a loud thud that Ravana knew instantly what the outcome was.
Highly infuriated and deeply saddened, Ravana was unable to control himself. He did not know what he was going to tell Mandodari. In a heated rage, Ravana stomped out of his palace towards the Ashokavana. He claimed that the Maya Sita was the reason why his Indrajit is dead, so he was going to kill the real Sita! One of Ravana's ministers blocked his way and FINALLY questioned his ethics! On hearing reason, Ravana sheathed his drawn sword and prepared himself to face Rama. We paused our story here.
Please go to the link below to check out the pictures from this week's class
Each week's update is maintained on Google docs, if for any reason you are unable to attend class on a certain Sunday, you are requested to check for weekly updates so that your child does not miss out. Below is the link
Regards,
Keerthi Kobla and Dipti Chauhan
